Author Archives: daudupress

By Emmanuel Daudu

The National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) has lauded the First Lady, Distinguished Senator Remi Tinubu for the generous inclusion of Senior Citizens in her Renewed Hope Initiative in the country.

According to a press release signed by Omini Oden, Head, Corporate, Media and Communications, In an official statement, NSCC Director General, Dr Emem Omokaro says the gesture by the First Lady confirms the favorable disposition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to older persons in Nigeria.

The statement signed by NSCC’s Head, Corporate Affairs, Media and Communications, Omini Oden, says the act by Her Excellency, Senator Remi Tinubu has accorded Senior Citizens a welcomed sense of inclusion and addressed their right to non-discrimination.

NSCC Director General, assures that the National Senior Citizens Centre has created sector wide partnerships to mainstream older persons into the Social Investment programs, Health and Social Care and other laudable initiatives including the realization of One Community, One Senior Centre Project.

While renewing her appeal to State Governments to expedite action towards domestication of the National Senior Citizens Centre Act 2017 and National Policy on Ageing, Dr Omokaro noted that the decentralized and inclusive template of the Renewed Hope Initiative template should encourage and boost State and Local Governments efforts to ensure equity and age-specific responses during planning, budgeting and implementation of health and social services to meet the needs of different population categories without leaving older persons behind.

The Director General commended the National Stakeholders Consultative Forums on Ageing; a mechanism of the National Senior citizens Centre for reaching and involving participation of older persons even in hard-to-reach places, who have approached offices of the First Ladies in their respective States and successfully secured slots for older persons from the 250 allocated.

The National Senior Citizens Centre will continue to create awareness of its robust and sustainable Older-Persons-Centered and community-oriented programs and services towards achieving a dignified, healthy, happy and secured geriatric population and welcomes states, local governments and private sector partnerships in their adoption and replication across the country.

The Director General/ CEO of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, today played host to the Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Chief Obiora Okonkwo who was on a courtesy visit to NiMet headquarters in Abuja. Chief Obiora Okonkwo who was accompanied by his Director of Administration, Mr. Linus Awute oon, mni,  said he was in NiMet to pay courtesy visit and congratulate a blossom.

“I am very delighted and happy that such a person of this calibre is given opportunity to prove himself. I have no doubt that he would bring the necessary leadership that will reposition NiMet”.

Speaking further, Chief Okonkwo who isa user of NiMet services, a major stakeholder and operator of one of the leading private airlines in Nigeria, disclosed that as an operator in the aviation industry, he has always looked for a moment where there would be a closer collaboration between the NiMet and the airline operators. Chief Okonkwo who underscored the critical role weather plays in our lives, urged NiMet to bring this to the frontline to attract the necessary attention of the public.

“I really think that for us in the aviation sector, we have to find a way the professional information or forecasts that we have about weather is out at our doorstep one week ahead. My plea to you is that this information about weather that you get should not be kept to yourself, it must be made known to the public, as it affects them. Therefore as an operator from the aviation industry, it is high time we looked for a very good collaboration to support NiMet to make sure it’s weather situation is made to the public”, he explained.

Chief Okonkwo noted that often when they had to tell travellers about flight delays or cancellations due to weather, this should not lead to travellers vilifying or assaulting operators as sometimes these delays are not caused by the operators. He raised concerns about the government always talking on the sides of the travellers and the travelling public, but that operators also have their rights. He however said with improved infrastructural provisions and investment in some of these airports, no matter how low visibility is you can still land in that airport.

He therefore called on the DG NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike to liaise with all the sister agencies in aviation to come up with a very compulsory demand that  operating airports must meet certain infrastructural requirements for aircrafts to be landing there.

Concluding his remarks, Chief Okonkwo disclosed that it was his first time visiting NiMet and described it as timely while he exppressed hope that ” with this new leadership you have, you will reach out and work with all that are concerned to see how we can make this happen for the aviation industry”, he said.

In his response, the Director General NiMet, Professor Charles Anosike thanked him for the visit while assuring him that all he said have been noted and that in the course of the collaboration  more insight will be given to him with regard to the assets and infrastructure NiMet has at the airports.
“We will give you more insight so that you know the strength and what we need to strengthen in this industry. So I thank you for this visit and we are looking forward to this collaboration. We will address all these issues and improve the way we work with the airlines because it is a regulated environment. Am sure you know that we have been instrumental in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) audit score we received”, he said.
In commemoration of the visit, both parties exchanged gifts/souvenirs.

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has directed the Director, Department of Development Control to ensure that Nuwalege community, along the Airport Road gives way for the presidential fleet plot. Over 200 Houses to be demolished.

The directive follows the request from the Nigerian Air Force.

Speaking through the Director, Tpl Mukhtar Galadima during a community and citizen engagement on Tuesday in Abuja, the minister hinted that, it becomes imperative that the community give way for development
According to him, “About a month ago, the authority of the Nigerian Air Force wrote to the honourable minister on their needs and desire to remove this village, because it is part of the presidential fleet plots.

“So, the minister in his wisdom requested them to allow the FCT administration to handle it, because it’s the responsibility of FCT administration. The Nigerian Air Force approached the Department of Development Control on their desire.

“So, as part of our responsibility, we have to do what you call a community and citizens engagement which is why we are here today to discuss with the community and to tell them of our intention, because it will be unfair to just bring the machine here and start removing their houses.

“So, we visited the chiefs at his palace to meet him and we told him our reason for coming to this place today”.

The Honourable Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali has enjoined lawmakers and the executives to be  progressive partners that extend hands of fellowship to the Executive for good governance and effective budget process.             

According to a report by Gift Osima Seddon (Chief Information Officer), signed by Olujimi  Oyetomi, Director, Press and Public Relations disclosed that Alkali who is a three-term legislator at national level gave this prescription to members of the Gombe State Legislative Assembly who were having their annual retreat for members, the management and staff of the assembly in Abuja.

The respected Minister of Transportation, Senator Alkali, who hails from Gombe State, was unanimously chosen and invited as Guest of Honour to open the Legislators’ retreat on Tuesday, 19th December, 2023.

The  Annual Retreat’s 2023 edition has the theme: “Enhancing Good Governance through Effective Budget Process,” which the Honourable Transportation Minister and Guest of Honour spoke to, declaring the imperative of handshakes across the Legislature and Executive divide if any political entity, especially Gombe State, hopes to foster good governance through budget process.  The distinguished  senator added that the budget process could define the size of development that can be brought about by the executive.

In his words, “I admonish you to take advantage of this unique opportunity to make the legislature a progressive partner that extends hands of fellowship to the executive arm in ensuring effective budget process for good governance of Gombe State.”                      

Continuing, the Minister and Guest of Honour stated: “It is my conviction that the choice of the theme of the retreat which is ” Good Governance through Effective Budget Process” will discuss critical issues that will enhance your capacity for quality budget legislation and effective oversight”.

“A careful perusal of the retreat agenda vindicates this expectation, given the diversified topics that will no doubt strengthen legislative capacity for optimal performance”, Alkali added.

According to the Minister, the choice of topics such as Budget Monitoring and Tracking, Operationalization of Financial Autonomy, Bill Process, Scrutiny and Analysis as well as Techniques for Conduct of Oversight, Work Plan Development by Committees and Operations of Committee System will certainly equip the Lawmakers to acquire more skills that will make their constitutional duty easy and result oriented.           

The Minister further admonished the Gombe  Lawmakers to engage the resource team to share knowledge and experience on different methods of application of rules of legislative practice and procedure.

He expressed gratitude to the State Governor, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, for his support towards the actualization of the retreat and appreciated the  Honourable Members and Management staff of the House for inviting him as Guest of Honour, which according to him, has afforded him the opportunity to meet with his brothers, charged with the responsibility of making laws for the peace and good governance of Gombe State.

Speaking earlier in  his welcome remarks, the Speaker, Gombe State House of Assembly,  Honourable Abubakar Mohammed revealed the overall aim of the 2023 Retreat which he said is to deepen the  understanding of the Legislators on legislative procedures and effective  budget process, by enhancing their skills on modern legislative approaches towards establishing dynamic Legislature – Executive relationships for good governance.

According to the Speaker, developing and strengthening skills, instincts, and abilities is crucial for the development and success of any organization, particularly the Legislature, which is vested with the responsibility of law making, oversight and representation.

Speaker Mohammed added that regular training is the lifeline of effective and vibrant Parliaments all over the world.  He attributed the vibrancy of the Gombe State House of Assembly and its effective legislation to the constant training and retraining of its legislators and staff.

In his vote of thanks, the House Leader, Hon. Yerima Ladan Gaule thanked the  Executive  Governor of Gombe State , H.E  Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, for sponsoring the retreat, and also thanked the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali, for honouring the invitation. He seized the opportunity to urge participants to make good use of the retreat presentations.

    
…..Set To Sign Agreement With Nigeria  On Donor Development Cooperation for Poverty Eradication

The Turkish government has expressed its readiness to partner Nigeria’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in the areas of social protection and emergency responses.

According to Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair (ANIPR), Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Honourable Minister, FMHAPA, in a press release on 19/12/2023,
Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Hidayet Bayraktar, made this known during a courtesy call on the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu in her office in Abuja.

Describing Nigeria as a rising star in Africa,  Bayraktar said it was important that his country and Nigeria collaborate on humanitarian crisis management, emergency response efforts, and poverty eradication infrastructures.

“As you know, we have a very good relationship with Nigeria, and especially we see Nigeria as the rising star in Africa.

“We want to have two agreements to be signed very early next year, one on the development Cooperation area and the other one is on the humanitarian disaster area, which will also involve the Turkish disaster management authority and NEMA of Nigeria. This will tremendously help, especially in the areas of floods or natural disasters. In the field of the development corporation, we will have the kind of sustainable development projects that we can help Nigeria in the areas of humanitarian and emergency response management as well, “the Ambassador said.

Responding, The Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Edu expressed delight at Turkish government’s willingness to partner her ministry on social Protection, humanitarian and emergency response strategies saying both countries would benefit immensely from the synergy.

Her words:  “we are grateful to the Turkish Ambassador and his team for this partnership, we have spoken very elaborately on the Turkish Development Cooperation, which would help partner with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to see how they can invest in social protection, support education, promote health and other social protection factors in the country.

“We would very early in January, after all the documentations have been completed, sign an agreement with the Turkish Government on Development Cooperation and of course disaster management
This will help us in setting up a proper humanitarian and disaster management system in Nigeria. All of these will be brought to fore from the agreements which we will sign”

Continuing, the Minister disclosed the Turkish government’s willingness “to open an office for the Turkish Development Cooperation in Nigeria after the agreements have been signed and from this office they can directly reach out, through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Allevation, to the different states in the country.

“So we are very positive that very early next year in January, we can get all of these signed both in Turkey and back in Nigeria, and we can begin immediate implementation.

“This will help us to tackle humanitarian crises well as well as grapple with emergency responses and tackle poverty through the various development cooperation initiatives that we will be working on with the ministry” she added.

The Turkish Ambassador was in the company of imdat karakoram,the Deputy chief of mission,Republic of Turkey.

…Passes Vote Of Confidence On  NAPE President-elect Johnbosco Uche

As the world embraces energy transition and sustainability, Society of Technology and Energy Professionals (STEP) indicates interest to collaborate with Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) to position Nigeria energy sector towards achieving energy security and sustainability.

This was expressed when the acting president of STEP, Amb. Chimeremeze Enwere led the professional body to congratulate and honour the NAPE President-Elect, Sir Johnbosco Uche.
Chimeremeze Enwere expressed confidence and optimism in the upcoming NAPE leadership under Johnbosco Uche.

Chimeremeze maintained that electing Mr. Johnbosco Uche as president-elect to lead one of the most impactful Nigerian founded professional body has brought relief in Nigeria tech and energy sector.
“In fact, Sir Johnbosco Uche’s emergence came when Nigeria’s energy sector needed a subject matter expert to position Nigeria petroleum explorationists into sustainable energy/environmentally friendly firms.

“We believe that Sir. Johnbosco Uche who is the Energy Transition Business Opportunity Manager for Shell Nigeria has acquired the needed skills, expertise, competencies, capacity and integrity during the years he has worked with a reputable company like Shell to change the narrative in Nigeria tech and energy sectors. We are here to congratulate you, honour you, join force with you and NAPE to save Nigeria energy economy. This will be achieved by ensuring a better technology and energy professionals practice, facilitating proper sustainable energy infrastructure, funding and climate actions”.

Chimeremeze stressed while honoring Mr. Johnbosco Uche.
In the same vein, Mr. Johnbosco Uche welcomed the honor with gratitude and commended Society of Technology and Energy Professionals (STEP) under the leadership of Chimeremeze Enwere for their significant contributions in the global technology and energy space.
“I am happy that a Nigeria founded professional body like STEP has demonstrated courage and commitment towards solving the myriads of challenges facing Nigeria technology and energy sector. I appreciate the honor and the confidence you have in my leadership. I believe that through this collaboration, we will exceed every expectation by facilitating and advancing sustainable energy transition in Nigeria and Africa at large, Mr Uche said”

The engagement was witnessed by Dr. Mrs. Lilian Odenugo, Miss Jenifer amongst other professionals.

By Emmanuel Daudu

   …Signs MoU for Establishment of Coal-based Fertilizers

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has signed an agreement worth $21.7 million with eleven firms in Nigeria as beneficiaries for take-off of the Delta-2 Projects, being the outcome of the bilateral collaboration between the federal government of Nigeria and the Czech Republic.

The Nigerian beneficiary companies are expected to come up with various products and services to be injected into the Nigeria economy. The Delta-2 Programme is being implemented by the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer/Information Exchange (PICTT), NASENI as implementing Agency for Nigeria, working in partnership with the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TA CR).

According to e-signed press release by
Segun Ayeoyenikan
Director, Information, NASENI, disclosed that in his welcome address on Monday, December 18, 2023 at the Agency’s headquarters, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NASENI, Mr Khalil Suleiman Halilu, said the Delta 2 programme, which was launched in 2022, designed with the aim of funding and enabling research, development and innovation projects in Agriculture, Mining, and General Manufacturing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

With $21.7 million set aside to finance the selected projects, TA CR will contribute $11.7 million while NASENI will contribute $10 million as counterpart fund. The bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and the Czech Republic began on 15th May, 2014.

Mr. Halilu emphasized that the Delta-2 Programme was yet another manifestation of NASENI’s commitment to fulfilling its mandate of transforming Nigeria’s technology and innovation landscape, through sustained focus on its 3Cs principles of Collaboration, Creation and Commercialization.

“Ultimately, our goal is not just to produce prototypes and models, but to ensure that the outcomes of the partnership are taken to market; that they are available commercially for consumers and end-users to benefit from, knowing that the real value of technology lies in market usefulness and application, our vision in the new NASENI that we are building is to create values and to be relevant in the market”.

The EVC/CEO reiterated that for every single kobo that NASENI will invest into this phase of the Delta-2 program, to develop new projects and products, the Agency will realize almost six naira (N6) in commercial returns, in addition to job creation opportunities, capacity building and technology transfer.

“That is what NASENI stands for: leveraging technology and talent to deliver returns that benefit Nigeria on multiple levels,”. Halilu said while congratulating the selected beneficiaries of the projects, urged them not to take this massive opportunity for granted as the funds would be deployed with a sense of service and responsibility.

According to the Chairman, Presidential Implementation Committee (PIC) on Technology Transfer/Information Exchange on Delta 2 Projects, Dr. Dahiru Mohammed, he said the program was launched on 18th May, 2022 with 285 proposals received from various companies registered in Nigeria. He stated that the evaluation of the proposals was carried out diligently by members of the Assessment Committee who were selected from the Nigerian Academy of Science, Nigerian Academy of Engineering (as research experts) and the Nigeria-Czech Republic Trade and Investment Council (NCTIC).

The process was well coordinated by experts in both fields of research and business and ably assisted by the PIC secretariat. “It is noteworthy that the distribution of the beneficiaries of the awards spans across the country, having all zones represented. “The funds are ready and we eagerly look forward to start implementation in January 2024. The funding of the projects is scheduled to last between 12 to 36 months,” Dahiru added.

He further said the idea behind the Delta-2 projects was to yield patents, pilot plants, proven technologies, software, certified methodologies, processes and specialized maps, and databases, among others, which is expected that the outcomes of the various projects will have a direct and immediate positive impact on the average Nigerian farmers, miners and MSME operators.
The resulting technologies from these collaborations will be transferred and domesticated in Nigeria through NASENI and other research institutions and private companies.

At the event, separate goodwill messages came from the Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji; Chairman, Senate Committee on NASENI, Chief Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi; Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Alhaji Aminu Iya Abbas and the Chairman, House Committee on NASENI, Honourable Taofiq A. Abimbola, who reassured the Agency of better enabling laws and collaborating partnership for better productivity.

In a related development, NASENI signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) for production license for the establishment of Coal-based fertilizers in Nigeria with PT Saputra Global Harvest. The agreement with SAPUTRA covers three key areas. Halilu said, “Food Security is one of the priority areas on the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The President is determined to build a Nigeria that is not only able to feed itself in an affordable manner, but also one that is able to produce surplus food for export.”

Others are: the supply of machinery and equipment that will enable us produce coal-based fertilizer for use in Nigeria; the capacity development component, which is the training of Nigerian personnel on the use and maintenance of these equipment; and the licensing that gives Nigeria the permission to produce the coal-based fertilizer according to the prevailing standards of quality already established by Saputra.The agreement is building on the initial MoU signed between NASENI and Saputra in September 2022, as part of steps to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Indonesia, while also supporting the development of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.